Signal-operator for spreading rails



C. L. HNCH.

SIGNAL OEERATOR FOR SPREADING RAILS.

- APPLICATION FILED FEB. 3, 1921.

1,383,093. v Patentedlune 28,1921.

3SHEETSSHEET l.

N m o a I I F K Eh, 'Q\ 3 W a m T f. 1 S if I Mwmfo'e Cliffurd L. inch.

(Imus m3 C. L. FINCH.

SIGNAL OPERATOR FOR SPREADING RAILS.

APPLICATION mu) FEB. a. 192:.

Patented June 28, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Fgv'mmhiow Clifford L. inch C. LFINCH.

SI-GNAL OPERATOR FOR SPREADING RAILS. APPLICATION FILED rma, I921.

1,383,093.v Patented June 28, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- Em a LFinch.

GLIFFOBD L. FINCH, Q35 MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

SIGNAL-OPERATOR FOB. SPREADING RAILS.

Application filed February 3, 1921.

To uZZ- eu/aom it may concern it known that I, Cnirronn Futon, a citizen of the United States, residing at lllinneapolis, in the county of l-lcnnepin and Eitate of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signal- Operators for Spreading Bails, of which the following is specification.

This invention relates to improvements in railroads, and the primary object of the invention is to provide an improved device ct simple construction and positive in operation, which will preclude train .vreclrs caused by the spreading of rails, thereby resulting in the saving of lives and property.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved rail spreading alarm device, which is associated with the track rails in such a manner that when the rails spread beyond a predetermined distance from any cause, a circuit will be closed or opened, as the case may be, for operating the usual block signal mechanism, so that when a train enters the block in which the rails are spread to a danger point, a warning will be given to the engineer by said block signal mechanism.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved signaling device for indicating when rails are spread embody ing clamp members electrically connected to the track rails and a connecting rod for said clamps, the rod being electrically insulated from one of said clamp members and adapted to make electric contact therewith when the rails are spread, thus closing or short circuiting the block in which the rails are spread, so as to permit the actuation of the ordinary block signaling mechanism.

A still'further object of the invention is to provide an improved rail spreading de vice of the above character, which will be durable and eil'icient in use, one that is simple and easy to manufacture, and one which can be placed upon the market and incorporated with the ordinary block signaling mechanism oi"- a railroad, at a minimum cost. 7

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which drawings:

Figure is a transverse section through Specification of Letters Patent.

Serial No. 442,139.

an ordinary railroad track, showing the improved rail spreading signaling device, operatively connected thereto.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view or a railroad track, showin the improved rail spreading signaling device connected there to.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged el vation of the improved rail spreading signaling device, showing parts thereof in section.

Fig. a is an enlarged v rtical longitudinal section through a portion of the signaling device, showing the contacts arranged in their normal spaced position.

Fig. 5 a detail perspective view of one of the contact members. i

Fig. .6 is a detail perspective view oi the other contact member which is associated with the connecting operating rod.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detailperspective view of one of the housings for aportion of the operating mechanism showing the means or connecting the housing with one of the railroad clamps, and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the nnproved device connected with the usual type of block signaling mechanism.

Referring to the drawings in cetail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the lette of a railroad track, which may be divided in the usual manner into blocks, designated by the numerals 10, 11 and 12 in .F 8 oi? the drawings, and the improvct rail spreading signal controlling device. .The block signaling mechanism is designated by the letter C and is of the usual or any preterred construction and forms no part of-the present invention. As stated the block signaling mechanism Uis of ordinary construc tion, and therefore only a brief description thereof will be given. I

The railroad track A is also of the usual or any preferred construction and includes spaced ties 13, and the railroad rails 1d and 15. The rails 14: and 15 at predetermined points are electrically insulated by means of suitable insulation designated by the numeral 16 in Fig. 8 of the drawings, so as to divide the track A into the ditl'erent blocks 10, 11 and 12. The signal controllers B for the block signaling mechanism are arranged at predetermined points throughout the rallroad track A. and extend fromonera'il to the otheiz- It is preferred that the signal Patented June 28, 1192i.

indicates a section magnet deenergized.

controllers B .be positioned approximately sixteen and a half feet apart or every half rail length as the standard rail length for many railroads is 33 feet. This is purely optional and the controllers B may he arranged closer together or farther apart as may be desired.

' The signal block mechanism C briefly described, consists .of wires 17 and 18, which. lead from the rails 14: and 15 respectively, of each one of the blocks of. the railroad, and these lead wires lead to the terminals of the electromagnets 19. The rails 14 and 15 are connected together by means of a wire 20 whichmay have interposed therein suitable source, of electrical energy, such. as a storage battery or the like 21. Thus it will be seen that the circuit through theelectromagnet 19 is normally closed so that the armature 22 of the block semaphore signaling mechanism 23 will be normally held in a raised position. A wire 24 is connected to the armature and leads to the operating mechanism 25 of the semaphore 23 and the wire 26 leads from a stationary contact 27 to the operating mechanism 25 of the semaphore. and this wire have interposed therein any suitable source of electrical energy indicated by the numeral 28. As shown the armature 22 engages the contact 27r when the magnet is energized. but that when the mag et is deenergized caused by short circuiting of the block circuit, the

armature will drop away from. the contact 27, thus allowing the semaphore me han sm to operate in the usual manner. This a stated is of the common construction. but it so desired, thetrack battery 21 may be interposed in either the wires 17 or 18 so that the track circuit will normally be open and the g 7 ln this form when any one of the controllers is actuated by the spreading of the rails A the ircuit will be closed through the magnet 19., thus at tracting the armature 22 and (losing the block semaphore signaling mecianism 23 for operating the same.

The signal controllers '36 are all of the same construction, and a descrotion of one a I l is deemed sufficient for all and shown each one of the controllers includes rail which engages the upper surface of the outer base flanges of the rails l land 15. The clamp bar .35 is held in place on the base plate 32 .bysuitable bolts or the like 36,

The inner ends of each one of the clamp plates 35 are provided with a'set screw 37 which can be adjusted into intimate contact with the outer rail flanges so as to insure of forming an electrical connection between the clamps 30 and 31 and the track rails 141- connecting rod 39 is adapted to slide. The.

pening45 has an interior diameter which is greater than the diameter of the connecting rod 39 so that the rod will be spaced therefrom at all times. An insulating guide sleeve 16 is provided for receiving the rod 39 and to hold the same centered in the casing. he inner end of the insulating sleeve 4&6 has attached thereto the stationary contact 41., which is of annular configuration, and through which the connecting rod 39 is adapted to slide. The rod has a less diameter than the internal diameter of the stationary contact 41, so that during the sliding movement of the rod, the same will not contact therewith. The contact ll is provided with outwardly extending diametrically opposed attaching ears 47, which are suitably apertured for the receptionof fastening elements (not shown) by means of which the same maybe secured to insulating sleeve 46.

This washer or contact 41 is in intimate en-- havin a relativel .lar e interior diameter and the inner end of this sleeve 48 engages the face of the contact ll opposite to the face engaged by the insulating sleeve l6 and the outer edge of the sleeve 48 engages an insulating disk 49, which is in abutting relation to the end cap 44:. The end of the connecting rod 39 which is extended into the casing 40 is provided with threads, on which are threaded a pair'of lock nuts 51. These look nuts 5 1 are adapted to holdthe movable contact l2 in position on the rod. This movable contact 42 is electrically connected with the rod 39 and as shown consists of a pair of spaced washers 52 and a connecting portion 53. One of the lock nuts 51 engages between the washers 52 and the other engages the outer face of the outermost washer. Therod 39 has the end oppositelto the end which is arranged in the housing 10 provided with threads 54 and has adjustably mounted thereon suitable stop nuts 55 which are adapted to engage the inner face of the depending arm 38. The opposite face of the depending arm 88 is adapted to be engaged by a washer 56, and this washer is held in contact with the arm 38 by means of an expansion spring 57, which is coiled around the rod 39. The outer end of the spring 57 engages suitable lock nuts 58. By this construction, it can be seen that when the rails 1st and 15 spread in relation to each other, the clamps 30 and 31 will be moved in opposite directions consequently pulling the casing or housing 40 in one direction and the rod in the opposite direction. Thus when the movabl contact 12 engages the contact 41, the rails 1 1 and 15 will be electrically connected. The spring 57 allows for a certain give between the two clamps 30 and 31 and thus prevent breaka e of an carts of thecontroller B in case the rails spread beyond the point where the contacts 4-2 and 431 engage each other. it also can be seen that the nuts 58 and 55 also term means for adjustin the rod 39 so as to permit the contacts l2 and ll to engage each other at a less or greater movement between the rails as may be desired, It also can be seen that the con tact 42 can be initially adjusted on its end of the rod 39 so as to bring the same closer to or farther away from the contact ll.

In order to prevent the actuating parts from becoming clogged by dirt, or the like and to protect the same from the elements, a casing 60 and a casing 61 are provided for the opposite ends of the rod 89 and these casings are arranged below the clamps 30 and 81. A suitable tubular casing 62 is provided for connecting the casings 60 and 61 and forms means for housing the connecting rod 3%. Each one of the casings 60 and 61 includes a bottom wall 63, side and end walls 61 and a top wall 65. The top wall 65 is made into two sections, a rigid section 66 and a movable section 67. The movable sections 67 are riveted or otherwise secured to the depending arms 38 and 38 respectively and the longitudinal edges thereof are provided with guide flanges 68. These guide flanges 68 may be connected with the side walls 64 of the casin s 60 and 61 by means of a slot and pin connection 69.

In operation of the improved device, if the rails 14 and 15 spread from any cause, the rod 39 and the casing to will be moved in opposite directions as heretobetore stated, thus moving the contact 42 into engagement with the contact 11, thus electrically connecting the rails 14 and 15 together. This will cause the short circuiting of the track circuit, as the current will flow from one terminal of the battery 21 through one rail,

through the controller B to the opposite rail and then back to the battery. This will cause the deenergizing of the magnet 19 and the opening of the semaphore block signal ing operating mechanism, which will move the semaphore arm 23 to a danger position thus indicating to the engineer of the train riding into the block that the rails are spread and that danger isto be encounteredin the block.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that an improved and simple device has been provided, for eitectively indicating when rails are spread, thereby preventing the loss of life and property. This device also eftectively eliminates the necessity of provid ing men for walking tracks to see it the same are in good condition, as the device will effectively indicate when any change in the normal condition of the track takes place.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention, but- I claim:

1. In a railway signal apparatus, the combination with an electrically operated danger sig--al, of a rail connecting device including a pair of normally spaced contacts electrically connected to opposite rails and means :torpermitting the engagement of the contacts for electrically connecting the rails to set the signal to dangerwhenthe rails become moved laterally a-predetermined dis tance from their normal position.

2. In a railway signal apparatus, the combination with an electrically operated danger signal, of a rail connecting device including clamps secured to the rail and electrically connected therewith, a rod connected to one or said clamps, a housing connected with the other clamp and arranged to slidably receive one end of said rod, and a contact electrically connected to the housing, a contact carried by the rod and arranged to move into engagement with the first mentioned contact for electrically connecting the rails to set the signal to danger, when the rails become moved laterally a predetermined distance from their normal position.

3. In a railway signal apparatus, the combination with an electrically operated dan ger signal, of a rail connecting device including a pair of clamps detachably connected to the opposite rails, a rod carried by one of said clamps and electrically connected therewith, means for permitting a limited movement between the rod and said clamp, a housing carried by the other clamp arranged to slidably receive one end of the rod, a stationary contact electrically connected to the housing, a movable contact carried by the rod and electrically connected therenected to the other of said arms and arto, the rod and housing being adapted to move in opposite directions upon the spreading of the rails, whereby the contacts will be moved intoengagement with each other for electrically connecting the rails to set the signal to danger.

4. ln'a railway block signal apparatus,

the combination with an electrically operated danger signal, of a rail connecting device including a pair of clamps electrically connected to the rails de endin armsv formed on the clamps, a rod slidably carried by one of the arms, a stop member adjustably carried by the rod arranged to engage one face of the last mentioned arm, an eX- pansion spring coiled around said rod arranged to engage the opposite face of said last mentioned arm, an adjustable member fitted on said rod arranged to engage the outer end of sald spring, a housing carried by the arm of the other clamp arranged to slidably receive the rod, means for insulating the rod from said housing, a contact carried by the housing electrically connected thereto, a contact carried by the rod electrically connected'thereto, the contacts being adapted to be moved into engagement with ranged to slidably receive the rod, a contact member carried by the rod and electrically connected thereto, and a contact member carried by the housing and electrically connected thereto, whereby upon movement of the rails out of their normal position the contacts will be moved into engagement with each other.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a rail connecting device including a 'pair of rail engaging clamps, a rod slidably and electrically connected to one of the clamps, a housing carried by the other clamp and arranged to slidably receive the rod, and spaced contacts carried by the rod and housing.

, 7. As a new article of manufacture, a rail connecting device including a pair of clamps,

each consisting of a base plate for engaging the lower face of the rails, a clamping jaw formed on one edge of the base plate for en gaging one base flange of the rails, a clamping plate carried by the base plate for engaging the opposite base flange of the rails, depending arms formed on the base plates, a housing rigidly carried by one of said arms, the other of said arms being apertured, .a rod slidablymounted through said aperture'd arm and slidably mounted in said housing, a stop member carried by said rod and arranged to engage one face of the apertured arm, an expansion spring coiled around said rod. and arranged to engage the opposite face of said apertured arm, adjustable stop members carried by the rod and arranged to engage the outer end of said expansion spring, a contact carried by the rod, and a contact carried by said housin 8. In an operating device for rail spread ing signals, a sliding rod, a tubular housing arranged to receive one end of the rod, an insulating sleeve arranged in the housing and supporting said rod, a washer electrically connected to the rod and insulated from said housing, and a Washer insulated from said rod and electrically connected to said housing and adapted to contactwith the rod carried contact upon movement of the rod and housing in opposite directions;

CLIFFORD L. FINCl-I. 

